Memorial services for family and friends will be held Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday ahead of funeral services Saturday.
KDLG: The Russian Orthodox memorial services known as panikhida are being held starting Wednesday for Hjalmar "Ofi" Olson, who passed away at the beginning of the month at the age of 75.
Sherry Rae Christensen is a niece of Olson’s, and was helping prepare for the services at Ofi’s House off Lake Road Wednesday:
"Wednesday panihikda service will be held at 4:30 p.m. On Thursday there will be panikhida services at 10 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., and also Friday at 10 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Then he'll be brought to the church after that."
The services are open to family and friends, and some refreshments will be offered. Ofi Olson’s house is on Lake Road, using the second driveway on the left past The Rack restaurant.
The actual funeral service will happen this weekend at the Russian Orthodox Church off Wood River Road:
"After the last panikhida on Friday we'll bring him to the Russian Orthodox Church," said Christensen. "On Saturday morning we'll have a viewing at 9 a.m., and the service will begin at 11 a.m."
There will be a burial at the Kanakanak Cemetary off Chuthmok Road following the service, and a potluck to follow afterwards.
Olson passed away early on July 2, after a lengthy battle with kidney failure. He was along time fisherman, a veteran of the US Army, and the former president, CEO, and chairman of the Bristol Bay Native Corporation.